Yearly Archives: 2014

Cleveland Heights, Ohio: October 3rd, 2014, Bitcoin Boulevard US businesses along Lee Road host the worldwide release of the much anticipated documentary THE RISE AND RISE OF BITCOIN, launching at Cleveland Heights’ Cedar Lee Theatre. Distribution rights for the film were purchased by L.A. based Gravitas Ventures, which recently opened its downtown Cleveland office. Showtimes and retail incentives along Lee Road through October 9th.

THE RISE AND RISE OF BITCOIN follows the stories of digital currency entrepreneurs and startups that are helping shape this emerging technology. The film will open to a red carpet event, offering Q&A’s with the movie’s producer Patrick Lope and subject Daniel Mross. There will be pre and post parties hosted by Lee Road merchants on October 3rd, and incentives at the various Bitcoin Boulevard US participating retailers throughout the week of the screenings.

Cleveland Heights resident Nikhil Chand, founder of CoinNEO, successfully led merchants in the Cedar Lee district in becoming Bitcoin Boulevard US, the nation’s first organized merchant community offering Bitcoin as a form of payment for customers. Bitcoin Boulevard US has drawn attention from the world press, including Newsweek, NPR, Fusion TV, and The Plain Dealer.

Bitcoin Boulevard US continues to organically attract new global audiences to Lee Road. Chand explains, “Gravitas had no prior relationship with Bitcoin Boulevard US when it decided to acquire this film. Coincidentally, its president Michael M. Murphy is a former Northeast Ohio resident who has chosen to reinvest in our city by moving his family and his offices from L.A. to Cleveland. Our efforts have united around Bitcoin, and we can’t imagine a more appropriate place on Earth for the launch of this compelling film to take place.”

Bitcoins are digital currency units, transmitted over the stateless and global Bitcoin payment network. The Bitcoin network validates all transactions of bitcoins, eliminating the need for 3rd party private banking institutions. Businesses pay between 0-1% for bitcoin transaction fees, and have the option to settle bitcoin revenues in dollars, bitcoins, or a percentage of both. Since May 1, 2014, Cleveland Heights merchants continue to see direct revenues driven from Bitcoin adoption and are optimistic that revenue will continue to grow as merchant adoption increases.

Located in Cleveland Heights, CoinNEO partners with organizations to explore Bitcoin opportunities. CoinNEO’s founder is Nikhil Chand, a Cleveland technology professional promoting safe, secure, and practical technology solutions. Chand believes Cleveland’s economic renaissance is a welcoming platform for emerging technologies such as Bitcoin, and believes CoinNEO’s contributions help fortify Cleveland’s position as a global leader in technology innovation.

Cleveland Heights, Ohio: July 19th and 20th, 2014, CoinNEO hosts Kryptoz Inc. and BitPages.co in Cleveland during their North American Bitcoin Car Giveawy Tour (NABCGT). The NABCGT visits Lee Road’s Bitcoin Boulevard US in Cleveland Heights, and continues throughout greater Cleveland offering free entries in the giveaway of a brand new 2014 Kia Soul or $10,000 in Bitcoins.

CoinNEO is a Bitcoin consultancy founded by Cleveland Heights resident, Nikhil Chand. Chand successfully led the Cedar Lee district in becoming Bitcoin Boulevard US, the nation’s first organized merchant community offering Bitcoin as a form of payment for customers. Bitcoin Boulevard US has drawn attention from the world press, including Newsweek, NPR, Fusion TV, and The Plain Dealer.

Chand is delighted the NABCGT has chosen Cleveland as a destination, “Our Bitcoin Boulevard US initiative has succeeded, and we continue to attract new visitors like the NABCGT to our city as a direct result. CoinNEO and the NABCGT share a common goal in raising awareness about Bitcoin technology. I am elated to showcase Cleveland to broad new audiences, and of course I hope someone from Cleveland wins the prize!”

Bitcoins are digital currency units, transmitted over the stateless and global Bitcoin payment network. The Bitcoin network validates all transactions of bitcoins, eliminating the need for 3rd party private banking institutions. Businesses pay between 0-1% for bitcoin transaction fees, and have the option to settle bitcoin revenues in dollars, bitcoins, or a percentage of both.

The Bitcoin Car will be on display throughout Cleveland, with free entries available for the raffle at the following locations:

Located in Cleveland Heights, CoinNEO partners with organizations to explore Bitcoin opportunities. CoinNEO’s founder is Nikhil Chand, a Cleveland technology professional promoting safe, secure, and practical technology solutions. Chand believes Cleveland’s economic renaissance is a welcoming platform for emerging technologies such as Bitcoin, and believes CoinNEO’s contributions help fortify Cleveland’s position as a global leader in technology innovation.

Thank you once again to The Cleveland Plain Dealer. This article includes the statement by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, which is lit an entire new direction of debate about the role of regulatory compliance in regards to the future of digital currencies.

We are proud to be a destination for Bitcoin commerce and community right here in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Bitcoin Boulevard US is presented by CoinNEO, a Bitcoin consultancy founded by Cleveland Heights resident, Nikhil Chand. Early in 2014, Chand successfully led Lee Road’s The Wine Spot in becoming one of Cleveland’s first Bitcoin-friendly retail merchants.

Chand explains, “The Wine Spot’s experience generated interest by neighboring businesses, and soon a vision was shared. Bitcoin Boulevard US, realized through hyperlocal partnerships, satisfies three early and important goals for CoinNEO: 1) Create a local destination for commerce using a global digital currency, 2) stimulate discussion about the roles of digital currencies, and 3) increase brand awareness for us as innovative Bitcoin-friendly businesses.”

Bitcoin Boulevard US has already attracted interest from international publications, in part due to its relationship with Bitcoin Boulevard NL. “Together, we hope to grow the Bitcoin Boulevard concept worldwide,” says Chand.

Bitcoins are digital currency units, transmitted over the stateless and global Bitcoin payment network. The Bitcoin network validates all transactions of bitcoins, eliminating the need for 3rd party private banking institutions. Businesses pay 1% or less in bitcoin transaction fees, and have the option to settle bitcoin revenues in dollars, bitcoins, or a percentage of both.

Lisa Dunn, owner of the fair trade retail store Revive explains her interest in Bitcoin: “The beauty of Bitcoin is its potential to use globally as payment to our partner artisans, and locally for tech-forward customers to use as payment to us.”

Kevin Monroe, owner of Monroe Constructs reveals why he began accepting Bitcoin: “We are seen by our customers as an innovative design and creative renovation company, and we continue to push forward by offering our customers another option of payment and expense reduction with Bitcoin. The next logical phase would be to extend the use of Bitcoin to a B2B model with our partners and suppliers.”

Bitcoin Boulevard US commences May 1, 2014 at the start of each business’s regular hours. Contact info for each business can be found on the bitcoinboulevard.us website. Coupons will be made available on that site, applicable towards any method of payment.

At 6:00 pm, the Cleveland Bitcoin Meetup invites the general public to gather at The Wine Spot, followed by a stroll along Bitcoin Boulevard US. After May 1, Bitcoin Boulevard US will remain a destination for Bitcoin commerce and community.

About Revive

Revive offers hand crafted fashion for women, men, kids, and home. Since 2006, Revive has offered unique collections that include eco-friendly products made of recycled, organic, and sustainable materials. Revive’s range is responsibly and directly sourced from 28 artisan cooperatives around the globe. For more information, see www.ReviveStore.com.

About Monroe Constructs

Monroe Constructs is a Cleveland Heights based design and construction company, specializing in both residential and commercial rehab and new construction.

About CoinNEO

Located in Cleveland Heights, CoinNEO partners with organizations to explore Bitcoin opportunities. CoinNEO’s founder is Nikhil Chand, a Cleveland technology professional promoting safe, secure, and practical technology solutions. Chand believes Cleveland’s economic renaissance is a welcoming platform for emerging technologies such as Bitcoin, and believes CoinNEO’s contributions help fortify Cleveland’s position as a global leader in technology innovation.

This meetup was held at The Wine Spot in Cleveland Heights, which recently began accepting bitcoin payments this year.

The first few people to arrive were a local couple who had read about The Wine Spot in the recent Heights Observer article. They were not too familiar with the technology, but had been reading all about it in the press, especially in light of the MtGox bankruptcy. They were intrigued, as we all are, and decided to stop by our meetup to learn more. We discussed several topics, including the history of Bitcoin, where it fits in the world of technology, and how it applies to a small business in their own community, such as The Wine Spot.

Using a digital wallet, a customer purchases a growler of beer using bitcoin at The Wine Spot. Photo credit: Rebecca E. Groynom

Several familiar faces from the previous meetup also attended, some traveling as far as Westlake and Youngstown. Several new faces showed up, all quite excited to be able to have a nearby place where they can gather and chat about Bitcoin. New to this meetup included a lawyer, a bitcoin miner, and a software developer, all interested in a wide variety of Bitcoin related topics. Legal and regulatory issues are often brought up, as this is an important issue on the minds of Bitcoiners from almost every aspect of the technology.

Another attendee was Frank Revy, owner of Coffee Proper in Lakewood Ohio. Frank started accepting Bitcoin at his business last year. He has some great ideas about decentralized digital currencies like Bitcoin, and community currencies.

A special thank you to Elizabeth Ploshay, Manager of Communications for Bitcoin Magazine and board member of Bitcoin Foundation. Elizabeth sent us complimentary copies of Bitcoin Magazine to distribute to participants of this meeting.